The Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC) Warminster, formerly the Naval Air Development Center (NADC), had a rich, 50-year history of advanced naval research and development (1944 to 1996). The facility has also been referred to as Johnsville Naval Air Development Center, NADC Johnsville or simply, Johnsville (a historical name referring to part of the area now incorporated as Warminster, PA. It is believed to have been named Johnsville around 1814 in honor of John, the son of James Craven, a member of one of the prominent founding families of the area.)

Following a government takeover of the mismanaged Brewster Aeronautical Corporation one this site in 1944, the Navy acquired the 824 acre location (with its one million square feet of production and administration space and an adjoining airfield and aircraft hangars) and began operations initially as the Naval Air Modification Unit (NAMU). The mission of the facility involved conversion and modification of Navy aircraft prior to delivery to their combat units.

By 1947, NAMU was redesignated as a research and development facility, and was eventually renamed the Naval Air Development Center (NADC.) It gradually began to expand as research activities from other parts of the country were relocated there to fulfill its main mission as a premier center for naval aviation excellence: research, development, testing, and evaluation of Naval aircraft, airborne anti-submarine warfare and aircraft systems.

Contributions of NADC researchers spanned numerous areas, including pilot and aircrew safety and survivability technologies (use of NOMEX as a fire retardant material for flight suits was prototyped and operationalized there), electronic equipment innovations (avionics, displays, communication, navigation and computer-enhanced flight simulation), leading edge sensors (radar, laser, infrared, optical and night vision), and other advanced aircraft technologies (structure, materials, lubricants, paints and control surfaces.)

NADC’s 30 laboratories employed 2600 civilians, including 1600 scientists and engineers; 300 military were also stationed there and took part in research and development duties.

NADC was also the home of the Aviation Medical Acceleration Laboratory, which housed the world’s most powerful human centrifuge. It began operation in the early 1950s and was used by NASA for training of X-15 pilots as well as astronauts from Projects Mercury, Gemini and Apollo and the early Space Shuttle program.

In January 1993, the facility name was changed from NADC to the Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC) Warminster. In 1996, NAWC Warminster was realigned under the BRAC (Base Realignment And Closure) program, relocating activities to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. The base closed permanently on September 30, 1996 and has been redeveloped for nonmilitary use.

Additional Resources on NADC History
Doug Crompton’s NADC website (Doug was a former NADC employee)
A History of Warminster Township.
NAVFAC. Former Naval Air Warfare Center Warminster.
NADC 50th Reunion Picnic Program Booklet.
Speech of Captain William L. McCracken during NADC historical marker dedication ceremony, June 3, 2006.
NADC History from recruitment brochure, 1973
NADC Facts and Figures from recruitment brochure, 1973
NADC Mission and Organization from recruitment brochure, 1973
NADC recruitment brochure, 1986
BASIC: Basic Avionics System Integration Concept brochure
Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Warminster-Disestablishment Ceremony- September 30, 1996
NADC Unsung Heroes of TACAMO
TACAMO Briefing for Southeastern Pennsylvania Cold Was Historical Society, 2/8/2024

This gallery contains some fun and interesting factoids about the Naval Air Development Center’s history. Click on an image to enlarge.

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